Two Finalists Named for North Georgia College & State University Presidency

Regent Richard L. Tucker, chair of the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, and University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst have announced the names of the two finalists for the North Georgia College & State University presidency.

A national search was launched to replace North Georgia President David Potter, who in September 2010 announced his retirement. Dr. Potter has served as president of North Georgia since January 1, 2005.

The recommended finalists are:

Dr. Bonita Jacobs has been the executive director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students at the University of North Texas (Denton) since 2009. She is also a tenured professor in Counseling and Higher Education. She previously served as vice president for Student Development at UNT (1998-2009), vice chancellor for student development (interim) and dean of students at Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, North Carolina), and in numerous positions at Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Texas).

Jacobs is the former editor of The Journal of College Orientation and Transition and has served on three other editorial boards. Her publications include The College Transfer Student in America: The Forgotten Student and Starting From Scratch (a first-year experience textbook), and numerous chapters, journal articles, and reviews. She has received more than $3 million in grant funding and is a frequent keynote speaker and consultant on transfer student issues.

She has received numerous awards and citations during her career, including the Ted K. Miller Achievement of Excellence in Assessment from the Council for the Advancement of Standards. She received the John Jones Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and a NASPA “Best Practice Award” for her study abroad work in Chile (2010). The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) selected her as a “Diamond Honoree” recipient (2010-2011).

Jacobs earned both a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and history and a master’s degree in counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University. She received her doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University (College Station).

Dr. Gerry St. Amand is vice president for university advancement at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), a public metropolitan university of nearly 16,000 students in the tri-state Cincinnati metro area. He also serves as a member of the NKU Foundation Board of Directors, including serving on the Executive Committee and Investment Committee among others. Additionally, he previously served seven years as dean of the university’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law. St. Amand led the solicitation of the two largest gifts in NKU’s history: a $15 million gift for the College of Business and $6 million for the College of Informatics.

Prior to Northern Kentucky University, St. Amand had a nearly 25-year career as an attorney and military officer with the United States Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, retiring from military service as a colonel. St. Amand started his military career with training at Fort Gordon, Georgia and during his military career, he served in numerous legal, leadership, and academic positions concluding with service as the principal legal advisor for the United States headquarters overseeing the American contribution to the Bosnia peace-keeping operation followed by service as Commandant of The Judge Advocate General’s School located at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was honored with the Defense Superior Service Medal and two awards of the Legion of Merit. He has also received the 2010 Business Courier Second Act Award.

St. Amand was a magna cum laude and distinguished military graduate at Boston College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in math and economics. He earned his law degree from the Boston College Law School. He is also an honor graduate of the Judge Advocate General’s School graduate law program and Distinguished Graduate from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

The Board of Regents expects to name the next president of North Georgia College & State University at a future meeting.